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What is the difference between the London Tube and the National Rail?

“The Tube” refers to the London Underground that services most of the city, “The Overground” is the rail network that serves Greater London, and “The National Rail” is the train service that connects London to other parts of the UK.



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1. Get an Oyster card. As you move around London you will spot locals tapping something against a yellow card reader at the underground turnstiles, on buses, trams, and even on the Thames Clipper Uber boat. This is an Oyster card, and it is an incredible 50% cheaper than buying single tickets or a paper travelcard.

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If you are making journeys within London, you can use Oyster or contactless pay as you go and Travelcards for travel on National Rail and Transport for London rail services, London Underground, DLR, London Buses and London Trams.

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The average speed on the Underground is 20.5 mph (33.0 km/h). Outside the tunnels of central London, many lines' trains tend to travel at over 40 mph (64 km/h) in the suburban and countryside areas. The Metropolitan line can reach speeds of 62 mph (100 km/h).

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The London Underground is often called the Tube because of the shape of the tunnels. The London Underground is one of the oldest metro systems in the world, opening in 1863. When the Central Line Railway opened in 1900, it was called the Twopenny Tube, referencing the price of a ticket.

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Fares and ticketing The Elizabeth line has two 'London Terminal' stations on its route - London Paddington National Rail station and London Liverpool Street National Rail station. Tickets for National Rail services to/from London Terminals are not valid on the Elizabeth line between Paddington and Liverpool Street.

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The closest train station to Buckingham Palace is London Victoria, which welcomes regular services from South London, Surrey, Kent, Sussex and Gatwick Airport. If you take the train to London Victoria, you can walk to Buckingham Palace in just 10 minutes.

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Yes, each person travelling needs their own Oyster card, Travelcard or contactless payment card. If you are coming to London in a group of 10 or more people who plan to travel around the capital together, you can buy a Group Day Travelcard*.

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It varies - the main one is the operator that serves them; Tube stations are served by London Underground, whereas main line stations are served by one of the many National Rail operators or Transport for London's Overground network.

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The Underground serves 272 stations. Fourteen Underground stations are outside Greater London, of which five (Amersham, Chalfont & Latimer, Chesham, and Chorleywood on the Metropolitan line and Epping on the Central line) are beyond the M25 London orbital motorway.

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Travelcard prices start at £15.20 for a central London 1 day Travelcard (zones 1-4). Child Travelcards prices start at £7.60 (zonnes 1-4).

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If you stay in London for 6–7 days and use the underground, trains, and buses every day, the weekly Travelcard is the most cost-effective travel pass. The one-week pass including central London (zones 1-2) is £40.70. It's valid for travel at anytime; there is no peak or off-peak rate.

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